Page 99 of For Love or Money
Then Scott’s gaze drifted towards Al and Cassie. ‘Don’t worry about those two,’ he said. ‘There’s no way Al would go back there after her cheating on him with JC.’
Lesley wasn’t so sure. Cassie obviously regretted Jean-Claude, and it sounded like Al was all too eager to forgive her. She’d definitely been asking him for a second chance. She glanced back towards the tree to see Al pulling Cassie into a hug. Right! Two could play at that game, she thought, as she let Scott take her hand and lead her towards the crush of bodies on the terrace.
Lesley loved dancing, and she quickly shook off her annoyance with Al, giving it her all as she jumped up and down on the terrace, laughing and fist-pumping with Scott and her new friends.
Screw Al! If he wanted to let his cheating ex-girlfriend walk all over him and get away with it, that was his problem. There was no reason for her to get upset about it. It wasn’t as if he was really her boyfriend. She was here to do a job, and she’d stick to the script even if he didn’t.
When the music slowed, she collapsed on a sofa with Scott, breathless but invigorated, and reached for the bottle of champagne. She really should have eaten more. She felt quite light-headed as she poured them both a glass.
‘That was fun.’ Must pace myself, she thought, taking a big gulp. She collapsed back against the seat, fanning herself with her hand. ‘Wow, it’s hot.’
‘You’rehot,’ Scott said, his eyes raking over her. ‘Your hair is gorgeous.’ He reached out to push a stray strand off her face.
‘Thanks.’ She swung her head from side to side, loving the silky feel of it, each strand seeming to move separately. She was beginning to sympathise with hair-flickers.
‘So, where’s your new boyfriend tonight?’ Lesley asked him.
‘He couldn’t come. So I can focus my undivided attention on you.’
‘Lucky me!’ Scott was looking at her in a way that made her feel like she was the hottest woman alive. He was totally doing his smouldering thing, and she was enjoying every nerve-tingling second of it. Flirting was fun, even if it wasn’t going anywhere. Because she knew there was no way Scott would hit on her for real – though it would serve Al right if he did.
‘So, alone at last,’ Scott said, edging closer until his thigh was nudging against hers. ‘Wanna make out?’ He fluttered his eyelashes.
‘Probably best not, what with you being my boyfriend’s cousin and all.’ She took a sip of her champagne. Slow down, she reminded herself. Then she took another gulp.
‘Suit yourself. You know, most women are gagging for a make-out session with one of my kind.’
‘Your kind? Men? Bisexuals?’
‘Creatures of the night.’
‘Oh, that.’
‘Honestly, you wouldn’t believe the number of total strangers who ask me to bite them. You don’t crave the vampire’s kiss?’
‘It’s too bitey for my taste.’
‘I could be gentle.’ He gave her an intimate smile, his eyes dropping to her lips.
Lesley gulped. ‘Well, I’ll let you know if I change my mind.’
‘Any time. Here, let me give you a top-up,’ he said, nodding to her glass.
Lesley looked down as he took it from her hand, surprised to see that it was empty. ‘Thanks.’ As he poured her another glass, she vowed to pace herself this time. Slow sips all the way.
32
An hour and several more glasses of champagne later, Lesley was back on the terrace, dirty dancing with Scott, his hands sliding over her hips as they ground against each other suggestively. She was quite drunk, but in a lovely mellow way, and she felt wild and sexy and powerful, a veritable goddess of the dance floor as Scott spun her around and pulled her against him. She shimmied her ass against him as their hips swayed together. Then she took her hair in both hands and piled it on top of her head, baring her neck to him.
‘Do it,’ she said, tilting her head to the side. ‘Give me a vampire kiss.’
Scott’s hands tightened on her waist, and she closed her eyes as she felt the wet warmth of his lips on her neck. He really got into his part, his low growl vibrating against her skin as he opened his mouth wide, his teeth lightly grazing her neck. She gasped in shock as he nibbled her gently. Her eyes flew open and she froze as she saw Al glowering at her from across the garden.
Oh shit! What was she doing? Shame flooded through her like acid.
She felt suddenly sober, and looked around wildly, desperately hoping no one else had witnessed her behaviour, only to find Jane watching, quickly turning away just as their eyes met. Oh shit, shit, shit!
‘Oh-oh,’ Scott said with a grin. ‘I think we might be in trouble.’
